AUCKLAND, Nov 30: New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has ruled himself out of the opening Test against India starting in Wellington Dec 12, it was announced Saturday.

Cairns, who underwent his second serious knee operation in March, was back playing a first class championship match for Canterbury against Otago Friday but only bowled five overs without success.

The all-rounder had earlier informed the chairman of selectors, Sir Richard Hadlee, that he was doubtful for the full two-match Test series against India, and was targeting the one-day series which begins in Auckland on Decr 26.

“He has subsequently informed me that he will reassess his condition in time for consideration for the second Test in Hamilton (Dec 19).

“Chris doesn’t want to rush his comeback like he did this time last year from another knee operation,” Hadlee told Wellington’s Dominion-Post newspaper. —Reuters